Improvement in machines for destroying potato-beetles



A. ISKE. MACHINE FOR DESTROYING POTATO BEETLES. No. 173,728. Patented Feb. 22, 1876.

' I NVENTOR' N. PETERS, PHOTO-LITHQGRAFHER, WASHINGTON D C UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFICE.

ANTHONY IsKE, OF LANCASTER,PENNSYLVANIA.

' IMPROVEMENTIN MACHINES FOR DIES'TROYING POTA'TO-BEETLES'.

' Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 113,728, dated February 22, 1876 application filed July 1, 1875. a

To all whomt't may concern:

Be it known that I, ANTHONY ISKE, of the city of Lancaster, and county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Catching and Destroying Potato-Beetles,'of which the following is a specification:

This improvementrelates to the construction and operation of a pair of suspended swinging trays or traps, with anintermediate pendent oscillating beam, and a series of Whisks, for brushingofi' the potato-beetles or their larvae, or other insects infesting the vines, so as to dislodge and precipitate them into said traps, from which they cannot escape until discharged and destroyed.

The accompanying drawing, with the letters of reference marked thereon, and a brief explanation, will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, in which- Figure l showsa perspective View of the entire machine. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 illustrates'a modification in the oscillating whisk-shaft.

There is a central beam or pole, 0, supported at top between two inclined uprights, A A, and to which it is firmly secured at a a. The lower ends of said uprights or inclined legs A are provided with wheels B!, one of said wheels, B having a series of pins, S, on its inner face. In a suitable bearing on leg A there is double-elbowed lever T R, the lower end of which is actuated by the pins S on the wheel, the upper end being provided with an eye, by which it is connected, by a chain or slotted coupling, with the oscillating whisk or switch beam D or E. This central beam 0 projects, too, for a handle, and is provided with two cross-pieces, L, framed into it. The projections may be perforated with a series of holes, for receiving and adjusting the arms G, which arms are also pierced for a pivotbolt, M, for elevating or lowering them, as well as to bring them nearer or farther apart. These vertical swinging arms G support the trays or traps H, which are canoe-shaped, conic in front at h. There is a smooth and inclined shelf, I, which dips into the tray, and has a vertical back-board, K, to prevent any of the insects from being beaten beyond the shelf I on which they fall, and are precipitated into the trays by the motion of the machine. These trays swing freely on their hangers or. arms G connected with them at each end. In Fig. 11 show a central beam, E, held on pivots in the eye of suspended rods F, and adjusted by set-screws f through the central beam 0, and one side connected with the lever T, actuated-by the pins S on the wheel aforesaid, with a spring to react, which gives this beam a quarter-turn, and it is provided with one or two series of Whisks of broomcorn or their equivalent, which beat the tops and sides of the vines, as the machine is pushed or drawn along straddling the rows,

and etfectually dislodges all insects, and causes.

them to fall into the trays or traps.

Practically, I find it better to introduce an oscillating fixed beam directly under the central beam 0, Fig. 3, (shown by D,) and in which the rods F are secured, passing through the whisk-beam E with the setscrews fin the latter, so that I can raise or lower the same 7 that it is only necessary to open the door and elevate one end of the machine, when all can be emptied into a receptacle provided to destroy them. If filled with lime-paste it not only kills the bugs, but will aid in making compost for fertilizing purposes.

The operation of this machine is readily understood. The swinging trays are light, and, by their gravitating force and adjustment, slide along, one on each side of the row of plants, close to their base, while the Whisks of broomcorn, or their equivalent, gently, yet effectually, beat the bushes, sweeping or knocking ofl' the beetles, whether the Doryphom decemlinia-ta-the well-known Colorado potato-bug-or any other bug or larvae, so as to lodge them snugly into the traps or trays, as amply tested. The vibrating force and speed can be regulated by thes'trength of the springs and length of leverage; so also theposition of the several parts can be adjusted vertically and laterally to adapt them to the size of the plants.

I am-aware -that Patent No. 116,894, July 11,,1871, has -side: traps and horizontal beaters moving on wheels, which, however, must be sufficiently high to allow the apparatust-Q.

be suspended from the axle, and the Whisks or Wires are operated hyratchets, anddifl'er in, construction and operation, substantially and in a manner to which I lay no claim.

,What I claim in axmachine's for dislodging wheels being-provided with pins S, cranklever .B iTyvihrating beam :"E, provided with a longitudinal series of Whisks, N, the whole constructed and arranged as and for the purpose shown and specified.

.,2.,.I n combinationwith the pole or beam 0,

claim the-perforated cross-arms L, vertical perforated arms G, and swinging tray or pans H,;-;the :whole, eonstructed as and-for the purpose set forth.

' ANTHONY ISKE.

.Witnesses: i

J No. M. AMWEG,

JACOB STAUFFER. 

